Sometimes it is surprising how a big institution like a US Embassy can commit silly mistakes.
Last week, my Ethiopian friend, owner of a well established company in Addis Ababa,- a smart, motivated, hardworking professional who could build a renowned firm from a scratch applied for a visa for a business trip to the States. Only to be turned down by an interviewing lady claiming that "there is no convincing reason for him to come back to Ethiopia".
What did u say? I asked him. He said "She asked for my monthly salary, I replied that I dont have a salary; I own a company; I earn the dividends". And she wont undestand such a staff. She insisted on some figure as a salary. She repeated the Q. I replied my monthly earning and gave her some figure. Way, lower than my earning. She couldnt believe her ears. She said "Are you sure?" That was way too much for her understanding of an Ethiopian's earning. I said "Yes!". Sfe finally said that "I dont believe that you will come back here after the trip"
I tried to imagine myself remaining there, wandering from place to place looking for shelter and jobs and bread, being jobless, facing the double dip recession, begging, waiting for asylums. And then, I considered what I have achieved here - my company, my prestige, my workers, my clients, the future growth potential.
And all I could say to the lady is "only in your dreams" "
